Redshirt freshman guard Kennedy Sanders prepares to shoot a free throw during a game against Utah State in the CU Events Center on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 (Hunter Dee/CU Independent)
After a loss to Boise State University on Sunday, the University of Colorado women’s basketball team defeated the University of Nevada, Reno, 75-59 on the road to improve to a 3-1 record. Senior Johanna Teder led the way with 14 points, while Kindyll Wetta added 12 points and 5 rebounds.
Following the Buffs’ win against the University of Northern Colorado, head coach JR Payne discussed the challenge of their preseason schedule, which included games against Boise and Nevada.
“Boise’s historically one of the better teams in the Mountain West every single year, and similar with Nevada, who will be super athletic. It’s a tough stretch for sure” Payne said.
Despite the challenge, CU took care of business against Nevada with consistent defense and offensive perseverance.
While CU struggled from beyond the arc early on, Teder came off the bench to hit the first three-pointer of the game for the Buffs, helping them get settled in. From there, with momentum from threes by Teder and Sara-Rose Smith, CU surged to an 18-7 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter.
Nevada responded with an 8-0 run to close the quarter, spurred by CU turnovers and fouls, and capped by a 3-point buzzer-beater from Dymonique Maxie.
The second quarter proved to be a tough shooting stretch for the Buffs, as their offense stagnated and they struggled to generate open looks. With shots not falling, they relied on driving to the basket and getting to the free-throw line. Their defense also played a key role, as a series of steals led to quick points. By staying active on defense, CU disrupted Nevada’s offense, leading to a 36-24 halftime lead.
The Buffs came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Nevada 24-17. They found their rhythm with four quick three-pointers from Smith, Wetta, and Lior Garzon in the first five minutes, pushing the lead to 48-33 and building momentum on both ends of the court. CU maintained its defensive intensity, denying Nevada open looks and limiting second-chance opportunities while dominating the boards.
Although CU’s offense slowed slightly in the fourth quarter, the Buffs continued their strong defensive play and out-rebounded Nevada 40-25 by the end of the game.
Looking ahead, the Buffs will need to focus on getting more touches for their post players, especially if outside shots aren’t falling. This game offered an opportunity for them to find a rhythm from beyond the arc and bounce back after a tough loss in which they went 0-for-17 from three-point range. The Buffs had five players score from three, with Sara-Rose Smith going a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. In the postgame press conference following the Northern Colorado win, Teder emphasized the importance of teamwork and trust in the system.
“We just have to trust in it, and we’re gonna find the open looks,” Teder said.
The Buffs will look to extend their win streak when they host Southern University on Sunday.
Contact CU Independent staff writer writer Lila Nuttle at lila.nuttle@colorado.edu
